Installation Information

interfac.dll - sheffield.dll (updated default settings for PC-DMIS version 3.62 and higher)

Interface-Specific Options (accessed via the PC-DMIS Settings Editor)

Setting

Default Value

Description

AddTipOffsets

False

This setting determines whether to add tip offsets on machines with rotary tables with hard-wired probe offsets.

AMReminderDelay

0

This setting updates the status bar every (AMReminderDelay * ~50ms) with "AUTO MODE REQUIRED". The default is 0 (zero, or turned OFF).

BlendedMoveSupport

False

When you set this to True, the interface enables smoothed blended moves on SMP-350 and UMP-360 controllers on circular features. You must select the feature's Circ. Moves check box. This setting requires firmware version 25.0 and later.

BlendedMoveTolerance

10.0

This setting allows you to vary the move position tolerance for blended moves on the UMP-360 controller.

BypassX3forMH

True

This setting prevents calculation of mechanical offsets when the value returned in the X3 message (offset from home position to center of the calibration artifact) from the controller is zero. For example, the MicroHite has a Sheffield SMP-350 controller but is not set up using Sheffield's AutoCal program. Instead, it uses the HexCal program. (Interface version 2.50)

CancelTimeout0

1

Use this setting to reduce the first built-in delay time (in seconds) in the new cancel method. This setting was originally implemented to reduce the probe index time when in manual mode. It may be necessary to try different values to get this to work properly, depending on the host CPU speed, controller type, etc. (Interface version 2.49)

CancelTimeout10

1

Use this setting to reduce the built-in delay time (in seconds) in the new cancel method. This setting was originally implemented to reduce the probe index time when in manual mode. Depending on the host CPU speed, controller type, etc., it may be necessary to try different values to get this to work properly. (Interface version 2.49)

CircularMoves

True

This setting allows you to start using circular moves instead of straight moves patched together. For details, see "Minimum Firmware Version Requirements".

ClearErr179

0

When you set this to 1, an "NT" command is sent to the controller during initialization. This is meant to clear or prevent error 179.

ClearSerialLine

0

This setting is not needed on most machines, but if you are on an RS-232 machine and you are getting a 111 error, set this to 1. When set to 1, this puts the controller in Standby mode when PC-DMIS shuts down.

DebugFile

debug.txt

This setting defines the file name for the debug information when DebugLog = True. The debug file resides in the PC-DMIS installation folder.

DebugLog

False

If you set this to True, PC-DMIS writes debug information to a file that is useful for debugging problems.

DebugLogReset

False

If you set this flag to True, PC-DMIS deletes and then re-creates the debug file. If DebugLog = True, the software will then start writing to the new debug file.

FixReadouts

False

Set this to True if the machine reports only to the thousandths. Readouts normally appear with an accuracy of ten thousandths. Some machines only report readouts to an accuracy of thousandths.

HasPH9

1

Set this to 1 if you are using a PH9.

HitDelay

0.3

This setting defines the delay time before the software reads a hit from the MSI board. If this value is too small, the software reads the board too quickly and gets an incorrect reading. If you are having accuracy problems, then you may want to try fractionally increasing this value.

If you use the MPHits option, changing this value has no effect.

HomeOffset

N/A

This setting is used internally and should never be changed manually.

HomeProbeWithBnSJogBox

True

Use this setting to disable probe indexing to A0B0 (or angles set by setting PH9DefaultA and PH9DefaultB) when using a Brown & Sharpe jog box with a UMP-360 controller.

InhibitForcedRotation

False

This setting prevents probe rotation after an exchange via a probe changer. When False, the probe rotates in B 5.0 degrees or 7.5 degrees (Tesa/Renishaw) after the probe exchange to reset the PI200. This setting was created for the resolution of PR#250865.

JogBoxToggle

1

This setting allows the toggle of the jog box between TakeHits mode and Readouts mode. While in TakeHits mode, you cannot use the jog box with any of the macro keys. When in Readouts mode, all the jog box macros are available. You can toggle this feature using the icons on the toolbar. You can also toggle this feature with the Record button on the jog box to toggle into Readouts mode, and the Offline button, which will be highlighted, to toggle back to TakeHits mode.

JogProbeMode

1

This setting determines whether the initial coordinate system reverts to the CMM coordinate system when Jog Mode = Probe, and when using a Brown & Sharpe jog box with a UMP-360 controller. The default value does not revert to the CMM coordinate system.

LiveUpdateMethod

1

This is set to 1 with the MP35, SMP3xx, and SMP400 controllers, or other controllers with the proper firmware upgrade. This allows position data to come directly from the controller. For details, see "Minimum Firmware Version Requirements".

MADelayAfterErr

1.0

This setting defines the delay (in seconds) of the output of the MA command (place controller in Auto mode) and after an unexpected touch occurs. This setting is only applicable on a UMP-360 controller with a Brown & Sharpe jog box.

ManualMachine

0

Set this to 1 if this is a manual machine.

Use this option for testing purposes only. You should use the TrueManualMachine setting if this is a manual machine.

MaximumVelocity

254.0

This setting allows you to specify the maximum speed of the CMM. It is given in millimeters per second with the default value set to 254.0. If you set this to a lower value, PC-DMIS drives the CMM slower. If you raise this value, PC-DMIS drives the CMM faster. PC-DMIS uses this value to convert between the internal percentage of total speed settings into the absolute speed settings that the MP controller expects.

This table displays the recommended settings for each controller type:

Controller Type

Setting

Discovery I D8/D12

152.4

Apollo I, RS5, 1808, Summit, Disc I D28

254.0

Discovery II D8/D12

254.0

MicroHite DCC

346.0

Discovery II D28

432.0

Apollo II, Apollo III

457.2

RS25,RS35, Progage, Atlas Gantry

508.0

Endeavor 9.X.X

575.0

Horizon

635.0

Endeavor 12.X.X

650.0

MaxClosedLoopScanVelocity 35.0 Open loop scan speed cannot exceed 100% of MaximumVelocity. Closed loop scan speeds are now limited to the MaxClosedLoopScanVelocity setting in absolute mode. Closed loop scan speeds cannot exceed 100% of MaxClosedLoopScanVelocity setting.
MechanicalOffsetX MechanicalOffsetY MechanicalOffsetZ 0.0 These settings store the values for the mechanical X, Y, and Z offsets determined during probe calibration.
MovePositionTol 1.0 The controller considers the move complete when all axes are within the tolerance of the actual move point.
MPHits 1 If this is set to 1, PC-DMIS gets its hit data from the Sheffield MP. The MP unit provides compensated data. The disadvantage is that this option disables the functionality of the jog box macro keys (End, Erase Hit, Store Move, etc.) while in TakeHits mode. For details, see the description of the JogBoxToggle setting in this table.
MPPXAxis 1 This setting tells PC-DMIS which axis on the MP display corresponds to the PC-DMIS X axis. The default is MPPX.
MPPYAxis 2 This setting tells PC-DMIS which axis on the MP display corresponds to the PC-DMIS Y axis. The default is MPPY.
MPPZAxis 3 This setting tells PC-DMIS which axis on the MP display corresponds to the PC-DMIS Z axis. The default is MPPZ.
MPVectors 1 If this option is set to 0, PC-DMIS tracks the vectors of hits by reading the position of the probe before a hit is taken. Setting this to the default value of 1 causes PC-DMIS to get the vectors directly from the MP unit. The disadvantage to setting this to 1 is that it disables the functionality of the jog box macro keys (End, Erase Hit, Store Move, etc.) while in TakeHits mode. For details, see the description of the JogBoxToggle setting in this table.

Some of the older systems do not support this function. If you get an "Invalid Parameter 21" error when you initialize with this option, then your system does not support it. If you are using MPHits, then you should (if supported) use this option.

NeedsHomePosition 1 When set to 1, PC-DMIS prompts you to home the CMM.
PH9Baud 4800 This setting defines the baud rate for the PH9. Valid values are 300, 1200, 4800 and 9600. By default, the serial protocol used is No stop bits, 8 data bits and 1 parity bit (N81).
PH9DefaultA, PH9DefaultB 0,0 The probe rotates to this angle before homing. Make sure that this angle is valid and won't interfere with the home position. In most cases 0,0 is acceptable.
PH9HandBox 0 If the PH9 pendant hand held control unit is present (PHD), set this value to 1.
PH9Port 1 This option sets the RS-232 communication port for the PH9.
PH9UsesCMM 1 When set to 1, this setting allows control of PH9 through the MP.
PositionNeedsCurrentRead True This setting enables (True) or disables (False) the ReadPosition command.
QualSphereDiameter 19.05 This setting is the diameter (in mm) of the MEA_SPHERE calibration tool, created automatically by the Sheffield interface. The actual size (certified value) of the artifact should be entered. Since this setting expects a metric value, if the certified value is specified in English inch units, multiply it by 25.4 to obtain its value in metric mm units and then enter that value.
ResetDelay 1.0 Some MP units will hang if you send commands to them too quickly. If you suspect this to be the case, you can increase this value. If you increase this value however, it may reduce system performance.

When running with SMP400, this value needs to be 1.0.

RotabAddress 0x20C This setting allows you to specify the address of the second Tech8O card for the rotary table. The default address for the second card is 20C in hex. PC-DMIS reads the rotary table position from the X axis counter on the card. Since there is no interrupt, this jumper should be removed on the second Tech8O card. You can use a standard single axis Tech8O card for the rotary table (see below if you need to change these settings).
RotabNormalAxis 3 This setting tells PC-DMIS which plane the rotary table falls in. Set to 1 if it is in the YZ plane, 2 if it is in the XZ plane, and 3 if it is in the XY plane.
RotaryAvailable 0 If this is set to 1, it tells PC-DMIS that a rotary table is present. Make sure your LMS license or portlock is also programmed for the rotary table.
RotaryScale 2000 This setting specifies the resolution for the rotary table. Set it to a negative number if the table scale is rotating in the wrong direction.
RS232CMM 0 Sheffield controllers usually allow communication through the RS-232 port as well as through the GPIB. If you plan on using RS-232, set this option to 1. For GPIB, set it to 0. All newer Sheffield controllers (SMP3xx and SMP400) use serial communications.
RS232CMMPort 1 This setting defines the RS-232 communication port for the controller.
ScaleX 1000 These values allow you to specify the scale factor for each axis (X, Y, and Z). This is normally a value of 1000.

Any linear scale stretch can be accommodated by changing these values. However if using these values with MPHits, then they will have no effect on probe readings because these will come directly from the MP unit.

ScaleY 1000
ScaleZ 1000
SendMNonGoManual False If you set this to True, PC-DMIS switches the CMM to Manual mode when the measurement routine encounters a Mode/Manual command. Be aware that this can cause the CMM to switch out of Auto mode at unexpected times.
SendProbeOffsets True When this is set to True, PC-DMIS sends the probe offset to the controller for more accuracy.

The interface went for years without sending the probe offsets to the controller. By setting this to True, you have better accuracy at the micron level.

SMP400Baud 19200 The default setting for SMP400 controllers is 57600. SMP3xx controllers have a default baud rate of 19200. MP3x controllers have a default baud rate of 9600. This setting is used for all serial interface Sheffield controllers.
SMP400Controller 0 If the machine uses the SMP3xx or SMP400 controller, then set this option to 1. These controllers do not have a DRO or keyboard and so must be homed by PC-DMIS. The software prompts you to home the machine every time you initialize.
ToolchangerDelay 100 Use this setting to make sure that the probe is in position before locking or unlocking the screws.
TrackingMoveTargetZone 5.0 This setting defines the default spherical boundary value for closed loop scans.
TrueManualMachine False Set this to True when a machine is truly a manual machine.
UpdateComm False Set this to True if you want the communications port settings to be identical to Sheffield's legacy products.
UseFixedScalePosition False Set this to True if you want to adjust the machine scales on machines with a rotary table which have hard-wired probe offsets.
UseNewCancel True Set this to True to use the new method, which is a less severe way to cancel the outstanding command to accept an unsolicited probe hit.
UsePartAlignment True Set this to True to move the machine in part coordinates. You must have firmware version 105 or higher on SMP400 machines. On other machines, you must have firmware version 20.1 or higher. For details, see "Minimum Firmware Version Requirements".
UseRCUButtons True This setting allows the operator of a machine with the smaller RCU to use the Drive button to insert a move point, and the Return to Screen button to end the current feature. For details, see "Minimum Firmware Version Requirements".
UseVectorTouch 1 When this is set to 1, the machine is capable of doing vectored movement when taking a measurement.
X_MECH_M_TOL
Y_MECH_M_TOL
Z_MECH_M_TOL
2.0 This setting defines the negative limit for acceptable X, Y, and Z offsets during probe calibration. PC-DMIS issues a warning message if this value is exceeded.
X_MECH_P_TOL
Y_MECH_P_TOL
Z_MECH_P_TOL
2.0 This setting defines the positive limit for acceptable X, Y, and Z offsets during probe calibration. PC-DMIS issues a warning message if this value is exceeded.
XMax 999999 These settings specify the maximum axis travel of the CMM. They should be specified in millimeters and be from the home position with no probe loaded.

XMin

-999999

YMax

999999

YMin

-999999

ZMax

999999

ZMin

-999999